Residents of Riakemuma village, Giasaiga sub-location of Sameta Sub-County in Kisii County have been challenged to treat their drinking water to avert contracting water-borne diseases, such as typhoid and cholera during this rainy season.
The area community health workers Josephine Gideon and Beatrice Sarota have warned local community members against drinking untreated water reminding them of the dangers posed by untreated water to their health.
Speaking to this writer at Nyakegogi shopping centre in the area, the health workers lamented that despite the public health officials’ regular public awareness and education campaigns in the communities, majority of the local residents still continue drinking untreated water.
Josephine reminded the local community members that drinking untreated water exposed them to water-borne diseases which cost a lot money to treat. She urged them to observe water treatment guidelines to avoid contracting water-related diseases.
"We have taught our local communities on the need to treat their drinking water to avert contracting water-borne diseases, but they hardly take our public education seriously," stated Josephine.
Sarota warned local community members against open air defecation in the farms and bushes as such may lead to contamination and pollution of water sources thus endangering their health as they could contract typhoid or cholera if such contaminated drinking water is not treated.